Presentation to the National Advisory Panel on Marine Protected - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presentation to the National Advisory Panel on Marine Protected Area Standards

May 4, 2018 Delta Beausejour

NB Experience with MPAs

• NB and Canada established the Musquash

Estuary MPA in 2006

• NB participated in the Shediac Valley AOI

review

• Participation in the CCFAM Oceans Task Group
• On-going discussions with DFO on MPA

Network design for Scotian Shelf and Gulf of St. Lawrence regions

IUCN Categories

• Provide standardization of conservation
• bjectives into categories – for international

consistency and reporting, e.g.,

– Protect pristine areas and conserve for reference – Protect but allow for research and education – Protect specific features – Protect ecologically important species, functions – Protect sustainable practices

What the IUCN categories are not

• Not prescriptive list of activities permitted or

prohibited

• Not codification of activities permitted in each

category

• Not a hierarchy

– Activities should flow from the conservation objectives for the specific MPA, not from pre-determined categories/activities – Not a prescription or proscription of activities – Would expect most Oceans Act MPAs to be in Categories 4, 5 and 6 – Other tools may be more appropriate for other conservation objective categories.

Science and conservation based standards

• Standards should ensure the MPA meet their

conservation objectives and not be driven by classification and reporting categories

• “sites have been incorrectly assigned on the basis of

activities that occur rather than using the stated management objectives”

• Components for Canadian standards

– Precaution (as understood by TB directives), – Ecosystem approach, – Best available science, – Costs and benefits should be known – Conservation measures should be assessed for effectiveness, benefits and costs on a regular basis – Standards should be assessed for effectiveness on a regular basis

Indigenous Approaches

• Anticipate First Nations will bring forward their views on

indigenous knowledge

• Encourage Indigenous engagement
• Existing studies (Indigenous or Traditional Use Studies) may

be available to guide establishment of protection measures.

• Guidelines reflecting Indigenous values, created

collaboratively to demonstrate honour of the Crown and reconciliation commitment.

• Input and support from local indigenous groups to manage

guidelines reflecting indigenous values

• Guidelines build on the balance of economic, social,

environmental and Indigenous values.

• Inclusion of Indigenous people in the identification of Marine

Protected Areas.

MPA and other tools

• The targets are for “conservation”, not MPAs. Not all the 10% has to be in an MPA
• Marine conservation has many tools available:

– SARA designated habitat – NMCAs – Oceans Act MPAs – Fisheries Act Marine Refuges (OEABCMs) – Fisheries Act Ecological Sensitive Areas – Fisheries Act management measures

• Use the appropriate tool and coordinate the application of all tools
• Marine space should have a more integrated planning process to delineate the uses:

conservation, renewables, extractive, transportation and infrastructure, etc.

• “A practical and functional approach to transparent management for ocean areas

and activities that require co-operation of ocean users and Canadians by providing planning, risk management and clear and equitable decision making.”*

*GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN, DFO, 2013

Costs and Benefits

• MPA standards should include consideration of

costs and benefits, including equity in the costs

• Benefits to “all Canadians” should not be at the

exclusive “cost” to coastal communities

• Conservation measures should be regularly

assessed versus their conservation objectives, in both benefits and costs

New Brunswick Perspective Fish and Seafood

• These sectors support thousands of New

Brunswick families and is the main economic driver in our rural and coastal communities.

• NB fish and seafood are internationally

recognized for quality and SUSTAINABILITY.

• Conservation of the marine environment and

ecosystem functions is mandatory

New Brunswick Perspective – Energy

• NB is a rural, coastal province and therefore our

economic potential is tied to the marine environment

• Energy potential in currently unknown, and

unknowable until an off-shore agreement can be concluded and provide certainty for investment

• Cannot conclude a cost-benefit analysis on

conservation measures until energy potential is explored.

New Brunswick Perspective- Environment, Transportation and Tourism

• Environment and Local Government: Existing

Provincial Parks (Environmental Impact Assessments)

• Transportation and Infrastructure: Operation,

maintenance, upgrading and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.

• Tourism, Heritage and Culture: Growth from

international markets to showcase stewardship

Thank you